Entertainment: Memorable Movies That Made Childhood Memories

Memorable movies are movies that leave a lasting impression on a person’s mind. There were movies from my childhood that made a lasting impression on me and created indelible childhood memories. They were not only entertaining but educational. They contributed to positive character development and showed me that the world is not just a small world after all, but a wonderful world too.

Memorable Movies That Made Childhood Memories

Heidi (1937)

Shirley Temple films were aired on television every Sunday afternoon and I tuned in faithfully. I liked all of the movies and watched them in black and white. My favorite movie was “Heidi”. What is the most memorable moment in this movie? When she received a Christmas snow globe from her employer and asked if she could keep it … “FOREVER?!” The gentleman laughed and responded “Longer than that.” As a child, I remember thinking “You mean time can last longer than FOREVER?”

National Velvet (1944)

Elizabeth Taylor played the role of Velvet, a small fragile child with a Big Dream. This young girl had an impressive role model she could look to for inspiration and motivation: her own mother. As a young woman, her mother followed her dream to be a champion swimmer. When the time came for Velvet to follow her dream, her mother fully supported her daughter’s endeavor. Velvet entered a horse race and won! She was disqualified when the judges realized she was a girl. It didn’t matter to her. She had accomplished what she set out to do. What makes this movie so memorable? For a young girl growing up in the 60s, the message was clear to me: Girls can do anything boys can do!

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Judy Garland played Dorothy from Kansas. Her family had gotten to the shelter but she was caught in a twister. A piece of flying debris hit her in the head and knocked her unconscious. She dreamed she wasn’t at home in Kansas anymore. She was in the wonderful Land of Oz. And although the place was magical and even had witches who were beautiful and good … all she wanted was to get back home to Kansas. Her delightful adventure and journey to return home began when she started on her way, down the Yellow Brick Road. This movie was a tradition. It was only televised once a year and every year I looked forward to hearing Dorothy sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

2 Disney Animated Films: Bambi (1942), and Lady and the Tramp (1955)

As a child, “The Wonderful World of Disney” was aired every Sunday evening before my bedtime. My mother made sure “we” (my siblings and me) watched this program. She thought it was great family entertainment that encouraged positiveness and goodness in young children.

One might argue that all Disney movies are memorable movies. Even though "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs(1937)" was Walt Disney’s first full-length feature film, the 2 animated films that, in my mind, were the most memorable were about animals. 

• “Bambi” was about a fawn (a young deer) who lived in the forest. 

• “Lady and the Tramp” was a romance, a love story, between dogs. 

What were the memorable lessons that a child learned?

• Memorable lesson learned from “Bambi”: If you can’t say nothing good, don’t say nothing at all!

• Memorable lesson learned from “Lady and the Tramp”: People can come from completely different backgrounds, grow up in completely different environments, and they can cross over any “barrier” that might look like it will separate them and fall in love. Love conquers all.

Do you have any memorable movies from your childhood?

Entertainment: Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle

Houdini and Doyle. When those two names are mentioned together, there is an expectation of something spectacular! The first episode of a television series titled “Houdini and Doyle” aired May 2, 2016, on the Fox broadcasting network at 8 pm CST. I had hoped it would not only be entertaining but chocked full of titillating biographical facts about these two real-life people that have always intrigued me. 

Who Were Houdini and Doyle?

By way of a very brief introduction:

Harry Houdini (1874 – 1926), was a famous master of illusion, a magician who performed tricks that defied the imagination.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930), became famous for his creation of the fictional detective named Sherlock Holmes, whose character was so believable that it seemed like he could be a cunning and shrewd detective for real.

Houdini and Doyle Deserved Better

My impression of the 1^st episode of the TV series about these two men? Uuuuhhh … can you spell disappointing?

The first episode was so dull and boring I didn’t bother to watch any more. Yes indeed. I am a very harsh critic. But can you blame me? These two gentlemen are larger than life and excelled in their occupation. When somebody says they are going to make a movie or a television series about these real-life people … there is an expectation of greatness! These two men deserved better.

At any rate, since I am not an “official” respected reviewer, I searched the Internet for feedback and opinions about this TV series just to see if I had it all wrong! But guess what? I was right! I found a review published by IGN Entertainment which pretty much expresses my first impression of the first episode as well. IGN reviews movies, TV shows, video games and practically anything deemed “entertainment”. They have over 200 million fans and publish content in over 100 countries.

To sum up the IGN review, in my words?

Eh! Some entertainment value, but shallow characters.

• Houdini and Doyle: “The Maggie’s Redress” Review – IGN

IGN gave the series a 6.3.rating. In my humble opinion, that was far too generous. My rating would have been 3.6.

Ah well! If you can’t find joy in watching perhaps you can find joy in reading. Here is a fascinating article published by Skeptoid Media that will not disappoint. It tells the story of how the friendship between Houdini and Doyle dissolved. Oh yeah! Harry and Arthur had a falling out that ended their friendship. From BFFs (Best Friends Forever!) to NGS2UA (Never going to speak to you again!)

• Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

♦♦♦

On a Related Note:

As if the TV show wasn’t disappointing enough, I was really excited when I heard that Ian McKellen (he played the wizard “Gandalf” in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy) was going to be cast to play an elderly Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, there was a lot of brew ha ha and it seems that the Doyle Estate initiated a lawsuit over copyright violations.

◊ ‘ Mr. Holmes’ Lawsuit: Arthur Conan Doyle Estate Sues Bill Condon & Distributors | deadline.com
◊ Mr Holmes and the strange case of the alleged copyright infringement | guardian.com

♦♦♦

• Harry Houdini died on Halloween at the age of 52. Since that time, many people hold Houdini Séances every year on Halloween. He promised his wife that he would reach out to her from the grave if it was possible. His wife tried for 10 years to contact him beyond the grave. Her attempts were futile.

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died in his own home garden in 1930, at the age of 71. He spoke these final words to his wife: “You are wonderful.” Doyle’s wife claimed to have the ability to reach beyond the grave, but it does not look as though she tried to reach her deceased husband.

Don’t you find these two men fascinating?

Featured Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Healthy Eating : Green Leafy Vegetables

My Mom Always Cooked Green Leafy Vegetables

In my mother's kitchen, growing up there were always pots on the stove. I don’t know if it was because she liked them or because it was cheap food that she could feed a lot of people or both. But at least 2 or 3 times a week there was always a huge pot of collard greens on the stove. My mom used to go to a farm and pick her own bunches of collards. The price she would pay at the grocery store versus picking the veggies herself at the farm was way cheaper! My mother always cooked as if she was preparing for a large army to come and feast! I come from a large family (there were 9 of us). In addition to keeping her own children fed, my mother’s brothers (my uncles) also had a habit of dropping by our house and checking to see what “Sis” had in the pots. We also had random visitors, who knew there was always something to eat at our house who would come looking for a meal. My mom never refused anybody. If there was food in the pot, they were welcome to it!

So when dieticians and nutritionists encouraged people to eat green leafy vegetables, I’m like: ‘They’re not talking to me. Because I ate collard greens from the time I could chew food until I left my home to live on campus and pursue my BBA degree at university.’

Why I Stopped and Restarted Eating Greens

~ Why I Stopped Eating Greens

I graduated from university, got married, and guess what? My husband’s mom did not make huge pots of collards. In fact, she never made them! He didn’t really start eating this green leafy vegetable until he came to America (he’s from The Bahamas) and he wasn’t really a fan. Consequently, I didn’t cook collards and I got out of the habit of eating this dark green leafy vegetable and similar vegetables.

• Did you know? Eating a lot of greens can be good for your eyes.

Why I Started Eating Greens Again

For the past few years, since so many health and wellness experts are touting the health benefits of green leafy vegetables, regardless of my husband’s food preferences, I made a conscious decision to try to include or reincorporate these veggies into my diet. The compelling research has indicated that dark green leafy vegetables promote heart health, can prevent certain cancers, and are an excellent source of many important vitamins and minerals that were missing from my diet.

Fortunately, I don’t have to go to a farm like how my mom did. They sell collards, mixed greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard, kale, and all kinds of cabbages (Napa, bok choy, etc.) in the local grocery store and the price is very reasonable. The greens come canned, frozen, or fresh. I love the dark green leafy vegetables and buy them canned. There are two brands on the store shelf that are very tasty: Glory Foods and Margaret Holmes.

It turns out my late husband had also decided that he wants to add cabbage to his meals, in soups, in stir fry, or in salads. He likes fresh bok choy and green cabbage. So it has been very easy for me to follow through on my decision to reincorporate green leafy vegetables in my diet. It has been a change in my eating habits that has benefited me.

Have you made any significant conscious dietary changes recently?

♦ Related Links:

Eat Your Greens! Drink Your Carrots!

Know Your Sorrel | Epicurious

Spotlight on 3 Texas Cities: Corsicana, San Antonio and Houston

Shining a spotlight on three (3) Texas cities where you might want to vacation or even relocate or retire to: Corsicana, San Antonio, and Houston. Texas Cities: Corsicana, San Antonio And Houston.

Corsicana

Tourism is to The Bahamas as oil is to Corsicana. Many cities did not survive the Great Depression and World Wars I and II, but Corsicana did because the oil business sustained it. Whereas oil may be the foundation of the city’s economy, according to a Fox News report dated June 2017, it has become a popular place to film movies.

“One of the main reasons that Corsicana is so popular in the movie industry is its Chief of Police, Robert Johnson, who doubles as an actor and producer.”

Two of the 2017 films are: “Undying” (Horror, Romance, Thriller) and “Warning Shot” (Drama, Thriller). (Didn’t mention the 3rd film because I don’t like the name of it. Probably by the image supplied with the Fox News link you could guess the name.)

The documentary film released in 2018 was “Field of Valor: Air Activities of Texas”.

Never visited or even lived in Corsicana, but do know some very fine people who come from that city. That’s why I was happy to shine the spotlight on this Texas city.

Image credit: Nicolas Henderson, Corsicana City Jail Of 1908, Corsicana, Texas; Texas Historical Marker; now (as of 2014) a private residence in Corsicana, Texas, flickr.com

Living in San Antonio, TX https://t.co/gQVkvzmJ3Y via @flipboard #TexasCities

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) November 30, 2019

San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas is not a Texas city that I have lived in but I have had occasion to visit more than once. My memories of this city are two main tourist attractions: the Alamo and the River Walk.

The Alamo:  Remember The Alamo? Not really. I was born in Florida and had to learn Florida history. It may have been briefly mentioned in my US history class, but I don’t recall being tested on it. However, when our family relocated to Texas, I learned about it and it was a significant event in American history. Had that battle not been fought it’s possible Texas might still be a part of Mexico. Who knows?

The River Walk:  The River Walk ~ It’s a tourist attraction built to attract tourists and get them to spend their money. It is serving the purpose intended. Lots of shops and restaurants. It was fun but if I were a San Antonio resident, I’d only go there every once in a while if I were going out to dinner or if friends or family were visiting and I needed somewhere to take them to be entertained.

Would I ever live in San Antonio?

Uuummm … NO! Not my style. It’s a personal preference. That’s all.

Lessons From Hurricane Harvey: Houston’s Struggle Is America’s Tale https://t.co/LdvgYNhdA0 #TexasCities

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) November 30, 2019

Houston

Since neither my husband nor I were born in Texas we are what they call “Texas imports”. There is a common expression used by many like us that says “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as soon as I could.”

Truthfully, our relocation to Texas has been one of the major decisions in our life that we have never regretted. Texas is a nice state to live in and many of its cities have a colorful history.

We got our first opportunity to relocate to a new city and start life anew because of a job transfer to Houston. My job. Not my husband’s job. We were only there for a year and my job transferred me again, to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

It was the year 1987 and our experience was very positive.

If we had the chance would we go back and live there again?

Uuuuhh … NO!

The year we were there, it rained a lot but there were no hurricanes. Need I say more?

I thank God for the experience but I ain’t going back!

Image credit: wallpaper.wiki

* * *

Have you ever traveled to or lived in any of these Texas Cities?

American Literature: Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks: Poet Laureate

Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks (1917 – 2000) published her first poem at age 14 and today she is recognized as a noted African-American Poet Laureate. In the USA, February is Black History Month; March is Women’s History Month, and April is National Poetry Month. Gwendolyn Brooks gets the spotlight for all three of these “dedicated time periods”. She is worthy of the triple honor.

Brief Bio Notes About American Poet
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks

Bio Notes and Life Highlights

Early Life

Ms. Brooks had very humble beginnings. She was born in Topeka, Kansas but her family moved to Chicago (the Southside, i.e. with the rest of the poor folks) when she was young. When she grew up, she attended Wilson Junior College in Chicago, graduating in 1936.

Almost a decade and a half later, in 1950, she was the first African-American (male or female) to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the category of Poetry. Her award-winning poems were published in a book titled “Annie Allen” (1949).

Later Life

Ms. Brooks utilized her poetic prowess for expressing her emotions, beliefs, and perspectives. She had very strong opinions about family life, war, and social ethics. Current events of her day led her to adapt her writing style from humor and irony to a more deeply serious tone in order to address politics and racism and the real assassinations of civil rights activists Medgar Evers (on June 12, 1963) and Malcolm X (on February 21, 1965).

Over the years, her works have reached a wide and diverse audience. She has earned the respect of many for her sincerity, quiet strength, dedication and her life’s accomplishments have left an indelible mark in literature and in history.

Awards and Honors

The Pulitzer Prize in Poetry she received in 1950 was not her first award. In 1946, she was honored as a Guggenheim Fellow in Poetry. From 1946 to 1999 she received numerous honors. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1988; and in 1999, she was awarded the Academy of American Poets Fellowship for distinguished poetic achievement.

In April 2012, the U.S. Postal Service issued commemorative stamps honoring 10 of America’s best 20th-century poets. Gwendolyn Brooks was one of the 10 poets featured.

Favorite Quotes

This is my favorite Gwen Brooks quote: “I am a writer perhaps because I am not a talker.”

I very much relate to her quote because it describes me. Even though I am not a poet, the quote makes me feel like Ms. Brooks and I are kindred spirits.

Ms. Brooks departed this life on December 3, 2000, at age 83. She died of cancer.

To sum up her life and writings in her own words: “Poetry is life distilled.”

♦

Gwendolyn Brooks born in Topeka, Kansas soon moved to Chicago, Illinois at the age of six weeks old. During her teenage years, Brooks started writing poetry. She gained National fame in 1945 for her collection A Street in Bronzeville. pic.twitter.com/mLYSAbyeun

— umesteem (@um_esteem) February 4, 2020

♦ Additional References:

Raza, Azra. “Gwendolyn Brooks: 1917-2000.” 3 Quarks Daily, 8 Dec. 2017, www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2012/02/gwendolyn-brooks-1917-2000.html.

Chandler, D L. “Little Known Black History Fact: Gwendolyn Brooks.” Black America Web, 7 Oct. 2014, blackamericaweb.com/2014/10/06/little-known-black-history-fact-gwendolyn-brooks/. “Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks was a pioneering poet who captured the joys and pains of the African-American experience in her work.”

“Books by Gwendolyn Brooks.” Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/author/list/25128.Gwendolyn_Brooks. A list of 30 distinct works available at Goodreads.com, as of 3 Feb 2020. 

Politics Versus Religion: It’s About Faith. (A Thought-Provoking Piece)

Politics versus religion. What’s the difference? In case one might think the lines are blurred … they are not! The difference between politics and religion can be summed up with two “C” words and two “E” words. Compromise. Conviction. Expediency. Eternity.

(Assumption: We are talking about politics in democratic or self-governing countries. Obviously, in dictatorships or similar forms of government, compromise is not entertained and your conviction will likely end in your demise. In those cases, politics and government are simply Rule The People With An Iron Hand. Whoever objects can either escape/relocate, go to prison or die! Religion or matters of faith are usually disregarded.)

Politics: Compromise and Expediency

In politics, when you’re trying to resolve matters or issues, one must often build a “bridge of compromise”, in order to satisfy or respond to the varying demands of the general diverse population or citizenry, because they are all a part of the community. In politics, although it’s said that laws and policies enforced and implemented are the good of ALL, that’s not always the case and decisions are often made as a matter of expediency.

Religion: Conviction and Eternity

In religion or matters of faith, there is no compromise. You either believe it or you don’t. You either obey the doctrine or you don’t. A disciple or a follower does not the authority to change the teachings of the scriptures. When you committed, you submitted. The community is only made up of believers. When it comes to their politics they know where to draw the line because decisions made regarding faith are matters for eternity.

► So as you can see the lines are quite clear between politics and religion.

Where Some May Blur the Line

When some people do engage in “line blurring”, it is very disturbing.

For example: The “ISIS brand” is built on being a Muslim: a faithful Muslim. That’s their foundation and they make it plain that if you’re not for them, you’re against them; and if you’re against them, then you’ve got to go!

This “line blurring” is a bigger problem for Muslims than it is for non-Muslims. Why? Because it’s the followers of Islam who are being divided.

When a division occurs, particularly in matters of faith, “the faithful” need to make sure they’re on the right side.

For Muslims, since it’s a faith in Allah, the followers need to know if they’re making their God angry! Because an angry God can show you “10 thousand deaths” way worse than ISIS or anybody on earth can show you!

What Decisions Must Be Made When Lines are Blurred?

In matters of faith, a faithful Muslim knows the lines are not unclear or blurred and that they need only decide two things.

(1) Is ISIS sent by Allah?

(2) If not, then a Muslim needs to decide who they fear the most. Allah or ISIS?

Can’t their God deliver them from evil? When those decisions are made, i.e. on the foundation of faith, the “line” becomes “un-blurred”.

The Muslim community must employ diligent efforts to make a clear distinction and differentiation between “the faithful and the unfaithful”. Otherwise … dare I say it? … all in the nation of Islam will suffer.

Solution/Suggestion/Recommendation:

– American Muslims should lead the charge in the effort of unblurring the lines. Agree or disagree?

►

Final Note: This is an opinion piece. I know this topic is very controversial. I am a Christian; not a Muslim. But this is how I would approach the matter because to me it is clearly a matter of faith; of separating the sheep from the wolves. It’s about faith. Not about politics.

► Link of Interest: The Debate: Should religion play a role in politics? | New Internationalist

Original source